The Reality of Collaboration

No matter how talented or driven you are, you can’t do everything alone. Even solo entrepreneurs need to collaborate and hold meetings. The key to making these meetings effective is to ensure they’re not a waste of time. Here’s a strategy that will elevate your meetings to the next level.

The Magic Question

When you kick off a meeting, start with this essential question:

“What do we need to accomplish in this meeting to make sure it was successful?”

This simple question sets the stage for a focused and productive discussion. It prompts everyone to consider and verbalize their goals and expectations, creating a clear agenda.

Creating a Clear Agenda

Once the question is posed, listen to the responses. Different team members will have varying priorities. Compile these into a list of topics and objectives that need to be addressed. This not only updates everyone on the key points to discuss but also ensures all relevant issues are on the table.

Defining Success

To take it a step further, ask:

“What do we need to see at the end of this meeting to know we’ve achieved our goals?”

This question can sometimes be met with confusion, but it’s crucial for defining concrete outcomes. For example, if the goal is to “take the company’s results to the next level,” break it down. What does that look like? Perhaps it’s identifying a list of opportunities or drafting a strategic plan.

By clarifying what success looks like, you ensure that by the end of the meeting, you can measure whether you’ve achieved your goals. If the desired outcomes aren’t met, it’s clear the meeting was not as productive as it should have been.

Implementing the Strategy

This approach might seem basic or obvious, but its impact is profound. By always starting with these questions, you ensure that every meeting has a clear purpose and measurable outcomes. It transforms meetings from potential time-wasters into powerful tools for progress.

Conclusion

I encourage you to start implementing this strategy in your next meeting. It has transformed my work dynamics and can do the same for you. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure every meeting is purposeful and productive.

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I release new episodes every Monday, so stay tuned and see you next week!